This marks a return to the North Jersey non-public superpower race for Sabella, who was the coach for two seasons at Paramus Catholic, winning a Non-Public Group IV state title in his first season in 2016. The Paladins went 5-6 in his second year.

“We are excited to bring Dan Sabella on board as the head coach of our football program,” Don Bosco Prep principal Robert Fazio said in a release put out by the school on Tuesday afternoon. “Dan brings integrity, respect and a coaching philosophy that aligns with the Salesian charism.”

Last May, Sabella surprised the North Jersey football world by departing Paramus Catholic for Ridgefield Park. The Scarlets finished 2-7.

“This is a decision I feel like is best for my family and our future,” Sabella said to NorthJersey.com last May about his decision to leave Paramus Catholic.

Paramus Catholic head coach Dan Sabella talks with his players as his team takes on St. Frances Academy on Friday Sept. 2, 2016 at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, MI. Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press

Paramus Catholic head coach Dan Sabella (center) celebrates with his team as the game ends with a win over St. Frances Academy on Friday Sept. 2, 2016 at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, MI. Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press

Paramus Catholic head coach Dan Sabella (center) celebrates with his team as the game ends with a win over St. Frances Academy on Friday Sept. 2, 2016 at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, MI. Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press

Sabella is a Bogota native with a career record of 128-68. He started his coaching career at Bogota where he guided the Bucs to a perfect 12-0 record and a sectional title in 2006. Then he took over at Paramus for the next nine seasons, leading the Spartans to a pair of sectional titles. His name was frequently connected to top-level jobs in North Jersey and he was expected to be a candidate for the Don Bosco job.

The Ironmen last won a Non Public IV state title in 2015 after dominating North Jersey for much of the previous decade, which included a pair of mythical (meaning, not decided on the field) national championships in 2009 and 2011.

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